(This video of the Clarks’ opening song was taken at 8PM, Saturday, July 7. )
“The Clarks” returned to Kittanning for a fundraiser for the Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC). Thousands lined the amphitheater and were throughout Kittanning Riverfront Park. ARDC funds opening of locks along the Allegheny River to enable recreational boaters to navigate the river from Pittsburgh to Kittanning.
by KP Intern Kyle Predmore
Boats of all sizes were lining up as early as last Thursday by the amphitheater in Kittanning for the weekend fundraising event set up by the Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) – a small non-profit group that put their efforts into keeping the locks open to the public along the Allegheny River between Kittanning and Pittsburgh.
“We fund the locks through sponsorships, fund raising and grants,” ARDC director Mike Sinawski said. “We fund the locks all the up and down the Allegheny river down to lock 4 at this point. We’re trying to keep these open for recreational boaters, commercial boaters - they can use them anytime they want.”
Sinawski had his boat docked next to another director on the ARDC, both owners of a Wellcraft Portofino boat.
“I absolutely love boating,” Norm Huselton said. “it gives you a chance to relax, but especially at events like this, we are able to raise funds. This is our second event of the year.”
“The ARDC we do two events per year,” Sinawski added. “We did the lock kickoff at the beginning of the year at the Harmar House and it was a great fundraising opportunity. There are all kind of vendors, DJs, this year we have a number of bands including the Clarks. Fundraising is our key thing this weekend. We want to raise some funds to help keep the locks open for the public.”
The ARDC was raffling off a corn hole board as part of the weekend festivities. With the sun shining and the rain staying away for a bit, the
“We want the ARDC to be known, let the public know we’re trying to keep the locks open, this is for the public to use,” Sinawski said. “It’s not just for 2 people or 4 people, or the boats here for the festival. This is for the public. Thanks to the group like ARDC, we can make it happen. We can bring these people to enjoy the music and other vendors, to enjoy Kittanning to bring money into the town. Boaters bring money and revenue into the area and up and down the Allegheny. Everybody here is spending money in town.”
ARDC Directors Norm Huselton (left) and Mike Sinawski (right) along with his dog Fawn showing off their corn hole board that was raffled off Saturday.
Sinawki claimed that he didn’t grow up around boating but saw the enjoyment others were having with boats and decided it was something he wanted to involve himself with. With the adage “boats are money pits”, Sinawski was quick to dismiss the statement.
“One of the best choices I’ve ever made was buying a boat. A lot of people say the best time and worst time is buying a boat and selling a boat. They also say they are money pits, but they are well worth every penny you put into it. We use these boats a lot for pleasure, relaxation. It takes a lot off our mind to sit back and relax and enjoy the water and boats. And that’s one of the big things about being a boater is relaxing.”